IDEM regulates Indiana’s public water systems through inspecting facilities, reviewing reports submitted by water systems, providing technical assistance, and responding to inquiries about water quality.
IDEM requires public water systems to test for lead, and when necessary, take action to educate and protect consumers.
In addition, IDEM works with professional trade associations to ensure operators, local government officials, and property owners have reliable information.
The EPA has set a goal to remove 100% of lead service lines in use. In 2021, U.S. EPA adopted the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) which require public water systems to perform additional actions to better protect communities from exposure to lead in drinking water. One of these actions requires public water systems to complete a Lead Service Line Inventory (LSLI) of all lines in their system, including the portions owned by the utility and the customer. Public water systems in Indiana were required to submit LSLIs to IDEM by Oct. 16, 2024. Public water systems should also be validating inventories and determining locations with lead connectors between now and 2027.
Additional provisions of the LCRR that took effect on October 16, 2024 are annual communication by the utility to homes connected to lead service lines, and additional requirements for public notification after a lead action level exceedance.
Provisions that take effect beginning in late 2027 include: lead testing at schools and childcare facilities connected to public water systems, replacement of lead service lines, and revisions to the sampling procedure and sampling locations using for lead and copper testing.
EPA adopted the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) on October 30, 2024.
Lead Service Line Inventories
- Service line inventories submitted to IDEM are available to be viewed on 120Water's "Service Line Inventory - State of Indiana" site.
- All community water systems (CWSs) and non-transient non-community water systems (NTNCWSs) must prepare an inventory of ALL service lines (including those not in use) connected to the distribution system.
- IDEM’s Guidance for Developing a Lead Service Line (LSL) Inventory [PDF] and Quick Reference Guide for Lead Service Line Inventories [PDF] will help with inventory planning.
- IDEM has collaborated with 120Water to finalize a service line inventory spreadsheet [XLSX] for this process. Instructions are provided in the spreadsheet.
- If you already have compiled data, 120Water can assist you in formatting your data to meet IDEM requirements.
- IDEM has procured software licenses for all public water systems in Indiana--PWS Portal--to manage and ultimately report their service line inventory by the compliance deadline (October 16, 2024). To request access to your water system's PWS Portal account, please reach out as appropriate:
- Contact: support@120water.com
- Contact: alliance@inh2o.org
- If you have questions, please contact DWBMGR@idem.IN.gov.
Referenced forms are available on the IDEM Agency Forms page.
Lead Service Line Replacement (All Community and Non-transient/Non-community systems)
- State Revolving Fund funding information is available through the Indiana Finance Authority
- Funding for Lead Service Line Replacement | US EPA
General Information About Lead and Drinking Water for All Water Systems
- How Lead Gets into the Water [PDF]
- IDEM Fact Sheets
- Lead and Copper Rule
- Lead and Drinking Water - Information for Consumers
- Drinking Water Viewer
- Suggested Directions for Homeowner Tap Sample Collection Procedures [PDF]
- Certified Drinking Water Chemistry Laboratories in Indiana
- Drinking Water Lead Testing for Schools [Video]
- IFA: Lead Sampling Program
- IDEM Agency Forms:
- Consumer Notice of Lead Result in Drinking Water
- Notice of Public Education Certification
- Service Line Inventory Questionnaire [DOC]
- Lead & Copper Sample Site Collection Criteria for Community Water Systems [DOCX], [XLSX]
Indiana State Department of Health - Lead
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Lead
U.S. EPA - Lead
- Lead | US EPA
- Lead and Copper Rule: A Quick Reference Guide [PDF]
- Lead and Copper Rule: A Quick Reference Guide for Schools and Child Care Facilities that are Regulated Under the Safe Drinking Water Act [PDF]
- Lead and Copper Sample Collection Procedures [PDF]
- Water Health Series: Bottled Water Basics
Free Webinars
- LSLI T-Minus 12 Months: Lessons Learned and Information Gaps for Initial LSL Inventories (Register for this Webinar)